By Stefan Coerts

The veteran defender is adamant that he can still be useful for the Giuseppe Meazza side, even though he is aware of his changing role for the Nerazzurri

Javier Zanetti realises that he is nearing the end of his active career, but believes that he still has a role to play at Inter.

The experienced Argentine was somewhat surprisingly benched for the Serie A encounter at home against Siena last weekend, but the defender feels it's only normal that he's not an undisputed starter at all times.

"I'm feeling physically well and I still feel useful at Inter. I realise that sooner or later I will have to retire and that moment is not far away. I'm not too worried about it, though," Zanetti stated to reporters.

"It was really tough to be benched against Siena because unfortunately we lost and from the outside you suffer. But it was perfectly normal to be on the subs bench and I think the coach knows fully well that I'm at his disposal.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later and there might be many more games I play no part in. I realise this is the birth of a new Inter and I'm here at the coach's complete service – he knows he can count on me both on and off the pitch. That's the way forward."

The 39-year-old has made over 800 official appearances for the Nerazzurri since joining them from Banfield in 1995.